June 25th,2014 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Thanks to Miss Hancock I have spent my entire week at every village venue sharing tales of high seas adventure on the Nova Star. For those of you I missed at the Save Easy/ Post Office/ Building Supplies or under a table at the Fo'c'sle, here's the scoop.... It was fantastic ! The boat is pristine clean and fresh, the linens top notch, the bar prices are reasonable, the food is delicious, plentiful and well presented and the staff are professional, courteous and fall over themselves to be helpful. We had a blast !

This Week in Chester Summer is officially here and we are off to the races. Today is Pasta Day at the Fo'c'sle Pub with $3 off pitchers of beer. Go. Go Now. Thursday night the Playhouse presents "Other Women" at 7:30 pm. It's the story of women's lives...after they've lived a little, featuring Sue Evans, Cynthia Myers and Laurel Darnell. Thought provoking entertainment, with music, a comic edge.... and karaoke! It showcases the works of Daniel MacIvor, Elizabeth Bishop and Alan Bennett along with musician Mike Watson. Join them for the trip. Wear red. The show runs for three consecutive nights with a matinee performance at 2 pm on Saturday. Friday is the weekly Farmer's Market from 10 am - 2pm at the Train Station. Also at the station on Friday a new batch of artists will be showcasing their canvases so pop into the gallery and check it out. Friday night is the season opener for Amicus Gallery from 6-8pm. Look for the pink whale belts or the preppy green on the street. Zehava Power's works are on display and they are fantastic. Be prompt or you'll miss out. Did someone say wine? Saturday Gold River Marina is holding their 1st Annual Marine Yard Sale from 9 am- 4pm where you may buy OR sell your nautical widget.Tables are still available to rent. "One man's flotsam is another man's treasure." There will be hot dogs available too. Knowledge at your fingertips...275-1322 Sunday evening the Chester Brass Band kicks off their summer concert season at the band stand by the Yacht Club at 7pm. We are lucky to have this entertainment so get down there and support their efforts. The Chester Tennis Club is holding registration Monday, June 30th from 8:30am - 4:30pm at the Tennis Club. The first session for lessons also begins that day. Next Tuesday is Canada Day! Get out there and wave the flag for our wonderful country. Kerry our resident pyro will be setting off fireworks in front of the Yacht Club at dusk-ish, 10pm or so. See how to become a Canadian with one of my favourite Canadian comedians Russell Peters. Ay ay Billy. She floats.

A man was telling his neighbor, "I just bought a new hearing aid.   It cost me heaps but it's state of the art... it's perfect." "Really," answered the neighbor , 'What kind is it?' "Twelve thirty."  Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

June 18th, 2014 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Miss Suzi has jumped ship and gone to see what the 'Nova Star' is all about. A Yarmouth-Portland return trip to enlighten and self-educate and no doubt spend time convincing everyone on board that Chester is a destination not to be missed. Tell your US friends (or any nationality come to that) that there is again an easier way to jump on and off SW Nova Scotia and we wish her, the Nova Star that is, a long, 'profitable' career (Suzi too!). As they say "The vacation begins when you step aboard' but I fear it is Suzi's only vacation in the foreseeable future so let's hope she returns......

This Week in Chester On Wednesday June 18 at 6pm and 7.30pm the After School Program of the Chester Playhouse presents "The Emerald Surge". 15 of Chester's future award winning actors will show what they are made of and how much they have learnt from the inspiring Cynthia Myers. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for youth available at the door. FRIDAY there is the weekly Farmer's Market, 10am-2pm at the Train Station. Produce and vendors increase each week now the weather is cooperating...... If you haven't tried the olive bread yet, please don't as there might not be any left for me if I'm late...... and I'm hooked on it. Bring your voices to KARAOKE at the Chester Legion from 8:30 pm to 12:00 midnight. Members and guests over 19 years welcome.  The same night SWIG! is playing at the Fo'c'sle 9pm onwards. Take a break from the World Cup and check everyone else in the hamlet is alive and kicking - kicking up their heels and "singing along is not only encouraged, it's expected" when SWIG! plays. The Sadhana Centre is stretching the limits with a full slate of yoga classes this summer beginning July 1st. You can learn more about yoga, massage therapy and naturopathic medicine at our Summer Solstice Celebration Open House. Join us at The Sadhana Centre, 71 Duke St. in Chester, SATURDAY June 21st from 5 to 7:30pm for Food and Refreshment, Live Music, Yoga Demonstration, door prizes and Introduction to our team of Wellness Practitioners. Come celebrate summer and community with us. RSVP appreciated leigh@thesadhanacentre.com. The Chester Legion is also having their ANNUAL LOBSTER SUPPER on Saturday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.  Enjoy lobster, potato salad, coleslaw, dessert, tea/coffee for $20.  Sponsored by:  The Masonic Clark Lodge No. 61.   Just a reminder that on MONDAY, June 23rd the BLOOD DONOR CLINIC will be at the Chester Legion from 1:00 to 3:00 pm and again from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.  For more info call 1-888-236-6283. They can't take my blood because of Mad Cow Disease (I try not to take it personally) but they will surely be grateful to have yours; it makes you feel good and the cookies and juice are free. The view from the Golf Club is spectacular even on a cloudy evening........

The art department of Haven have excelled when it comes to the time capsule that they recently returned for entombment along with the rest, on July 30th at the Chester Trust garden party. Please don't let their 'show off talents' put any of you others off from either purchasing one still or returning yours! White is fine...... But what else would you expect from the talented bunch?  I thought it worth a photo as they bask in their last month of daylight for 50 years...........  The Other One for the Chester Merchants Group

June 11th, 2014 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! It was an epic event last Thursday morning at the Zoe Library grounds. A small but enthusiastic crowd watched the top of the Lightfoot Tower glide through the air and land gently atop the Tower structure. It was surreal and a bit unnerving. Barry Redmond and his team orchestrated the move and the boys at Land & Sea sealed the deal. Nice work guys !

This Week in Chester We have new kids in the sandbox ! Colin Blanchard and Kenneth McRobbie have joined us here in the Hamlet with their Seaside Shop "31 Westgate." They are located in the blue building on the corner of Queen and Pleasant streets across from the Fo'c'sle Pub. It doesn't get any better than this - home decor with a nautical twist and a beer chaser. Ahh, Chester. Chester Trust Lightfoot Tower Time Capsules are still available - 12" long @$100 or 6" long @$50 - both sizes are 4" in diameter. The time capsules will be entombed at the Chester Trust celebration garden party on July 30th at the Zoe Library grounds and will be opened in 2064. An opportunity to show your grandchildren that you were young once. Capsules may be obtained by contacting Dolly Hancock at 275 4991/ dollyhancock@mac.com. The deadline for filled capsules is June 30th. All funds go to the Lightfoot Tower restoration. If you are looking to adopt or foster a dog look no further. Call or email Traci @ 273-2356 / recycledlove@eastlink.ca. Their rescue team supports all rescues in Nova Scotia so she can help you find the perfect pet. Woof. Thursday night @ 7:30pm the Playhouse presents their continuing Alan Rickman film series with "Sense and Sensibility." This is a brilliant movie with an outstanding cast. Do not miss this. Daffadilly Queens  Relay For Life Team  invite you to a musical concert at St Stephens Church on Thursday evening @7pm.  Featuring the Studio Singers, Pat Watson, St Stephens Choir, Peter Parsons, Dan and Kathryn Green and Kathleen Hamm. A free will offering to the Chester Relay for Life. For info call Vicky at 275 4219. Friday the meat and pie boys are back at the Farmer's market at the Train station. They are joined by - well, just about everybody. You can probably get anything you want there except maybe a TV. I didn't see any TVs. Friday night the band "Mutiny" is on stage at the Fo'c'sle Pub at 9 pm. Fletcher Christian on guitar/ Bligh doing back up vocals? Who knows. Go check it out. Arrive early and get the rib special. Did someone says Fred Flintstone? I've seen those ribs. Wilmaaaa ! Saturday night Jamie Junger will perform for kids from his "Fishin' for Pickles" CD at 6pm in the red shed at the corner of Queen and Union Streets.  Later in the evening Andy and Ariana and Jamie will play a show for bigger people @8pm. Sunday is Father's Day. You can hit the brunch bunch at the Kiwi Café or the Fo'c'sle Pub or wait until evening and hit Nicki's or the Fo'c'sle. Or you could stay at the Fo'c'sle all day and cover both bases. I've done that before. Monday evening at 6:30pm the Chester Garden Club hosts Rosemarie Lohnes from Helping Nature Heal to discuss "The Challenges of Rock Gardening" at St. Stephen's Hall. Refreshments to follow.  www.chestergardenclub.wordpress.com. Between a rock and a hard place.

Paddy calls Air Canada to book a flight. The operator asks, "How many people are flying with you?" Paddy replies "How do I know! It's your plane!" Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

June 4th, 2014 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! The snow is finally gone.Thank gawd. I hear icebergs are ubiquitous outside St John's Narrows though, so if you need a cold fix, Newfoundland awaits you and your parka. Here in the Hamlet, people are finally poking their noses outside. The long hibernation is over, and boy was it long. I even fired up the BBQ this morning ! There was a small explosion - I put it out with a few snowballs I had stockpiled over the winter. The Havens are back in town. Yippee ! I watched them filming on the Yacht Club dock in the snow last month. It wasn't pretty. Hollywood is not all it's cracked up to be.

This Week in Chester The Train Station Gallery is now open for the season at, where else, the train station. Creative art by area artists and artisans will be displayed on a monthly basis for all to enjoy. Open daily from 10-4 pm. The Visitor Info Centre is also located at the train station, so you may pick up all the travel information you need there. The Village Emporium is stocked and ready to go for the summer season! Ladies summer clothing, sun hats, sandals and all kinds of gift ware, books, souvenirs and other goodies, much of it locally made. Check out their Facebook page for photos and updates. The Chester Merchants & Chamber of Commerce are having a Haven Contest! Are you a Haven fan living in or visiting Chester? You must answer ten questions and enter to win Haven and Chester merchandise. Draw Date October 1st. They would also like any visiting fans to autograph Haven posters! All details on where to find contest entries and Haven posters may be found here. Follow @Village_Emp_NS or @VisitChesterNS on Twitter. Thursday night is Wing night at the Fo'c'sle Pub. Join the rest of the wing nuts and get yer sass "hot on." They really are quite addictive. Bring a wet-nap. Friday from 10-2pm the Farmer's Market is back at the Train Station and there are a whole slew of new vendors. I went for fiddleheads last week and came home with a garlic grater, a bowl from Spain, soap, fresh fish and a book. Forgot about the fiddleheads. There are wood products, jewelry, meats and so much more. Put it on your weekly calendar. On Friday at 5 pm the Chester Playhouse After School Drama Program is pleased to present their Pizza Party and Talent Show Fundraiser at the Chester Legion. Everyone is welcome to attend and perform. The pizzas are $20 for a 12". The options are cheese, veggie, pepperoni and the works.  The Grand Prize is a full scholarship for fall classes. Pizza pick up is @ 5pm and the talent show begins at 5:30. There will be pizza by the slice, drinks, and cupcakes available for sale after 6 pm. To order pizza, please call Sue at 1-902-275-4414 chesterdramapizza@gmail.com. For a performance slot contact Robyn Harris, robby.doodlebop@gmail.com or Cynthia Myers cynthiamyers@eastlink.ca. Saturday morning Bonny Lea Farm is holding a breakfast and plant sale from 8-11am. Hanging baskets and transplants. Purchase tickets on a trip for two anywhere Porter Airlines flies within US and Canada - draw date TBA.  275-5622 This is exciting: An Estate sale! The BIG day is Saturday from 10-3pm, but you may go to the pre sales event between now and then and you might catch Daphne at home. Daylight hours please. The address is 88 Millennium Drive by the Golf Course. There are all sorts of interesting pieces from Asian rugs, art work, antiques, lamps, kitchen gear, tableware. This is the estate of a well traveled couple with extremely good taste. Don't miss this. Saturday evening @ 7:30pm "Swingology" takes to the stage at the Chester Playhouse. In the 1930s, gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt revolutionized music by blending swing with gypsy passion and the sounds of the Parisian musette dance halls to create a unique style never since matched for its driving rhythm, inventiveness and excitement. Chester's own Cynthia Myers will be singing. On Sunday the St Stephen's Anglican Church presents a musical Concert of Organ, Brass and Vocal pieces featuring:  Shawn Whynot, organist, Chester Brass and Jennifer Farrell - soprano soloist at 3 pm.  Admission $20 at the door or advance purchase of $15 at the Parish Centre Office, 54 Regent St  on Wed/Thurs/ Fri from 9-3 pm. Proceeds for Church's outreach. Nicki is back and the meat is falling off the bone. The Sunday carvery is open for the season. Carnivores can get their fix Sunday evenings from 5-8 pm. Please call to reserve your table. Nicki is open Wednesday through Saturday as well with her regular (non hoof) menu. Our Health Centre is holding their annual meeting next Tuesday at the Chester Basin Legion @7pm. This will be preceded by Dr. Margaret Casey of the North End Community Health Centre who will speak about today's Health Centers. All welcome. You will have noticed the OHC information tables set up around the village shops. Feel free to stop and ask the volunteers any questions you may have. Fill out the form and you will be kept up to date on the latest developments and when your new Doc is rolling into town. The OHC needs your help. The booths have donor cards and with your help, the shovel could go in the ground as early as September. Think about it. This centre is for YOUR health. A reminder that the green bin weekly pick up will start next week with the "A" week residents.  The program will run till the last week in September.

When you wish upon a falling star, your dreams can come true. Unless it's really a meteorite hurtling to the Earth. Then you're pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless it's death by meteor. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group